Dental Assisting

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Dental Assisting

Major: 3055

Award: 
AAS

Total credits required: 
60

Award Type: AAS

The Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS) in Dental Assisting prepares students to perform a variety of skills including but not limited to exposing x-rays, assisting the dentist in a broad scope of dental procedures, perform laboratory and office management functions, coronal polishing and other expanded duties, and educating patients. A Certificate of Completion (CCL) is also available.

The Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (211 E. Chicago Ave., Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60611-2637; (312) 440-4653). Graduates are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board (444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 900, Michigan, IL 60611, 800.367.3262 or 312.642.3368) Certification Exams for the designation CDA (Certified Dental Assistant), the Arizona State Certification in Radiation Health and Safety, and the Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate (AZCP).

Program notes: 

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses within the program.

Admission criteria: 

A high school diploma or GED equivalency is required. Ability to fully participate in classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting program activities. Submit current CPR card for Health Care Provider and maintain current status throughout the program. Complete and submit the required proof of immunity and health declaration form signed by a licensed health care provider. Submit to a drug screening and demonstrate negative results. Completion of program prerequisites with a grade of C or better. Submit unofficial copies of transcripts. Formal application and admission to the program is required.

Background Check Requirements Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Supplemental Background Check policy. Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy.

Become a Student

Related Program:

Prerequisites
Credits:7-14.5
The credit hour range is subject to change depending on the student's educational experiences.
 
OPTION 1: Credits: 7-10.5
Option 1 is available for students who have completed an Associate in Applied Science degree or higher degree in a health science discipline from a regionally accredited institution of higher education recognized by Maricopa County Community College District.
 
BIO160Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
CRE101College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR
Equivalent by assessment 0-3
ENG101First Year Composition (3) OR
ENG107First Year Composition for ESL (3) 3
HCC/RES109CPR for Health Care Provider (.5) OR
Current CPR certification at the health care provider OR
Professional rescuer level .5
 
 
OPTION 2: Credits: 11-14.5
BIO160Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology 4
CRE101College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking (3) OR
Equivalent by assessment 0-3
ENG101First Year Composition (3) OR
ENG107First Year Composition for ESL (3) 3
HCC/RES109CPR for Health Care Provider (.5) OR
Current CPR certification at the health care provider OR
Professional rescuer level .5
HCC130Fundamentals in Health Care Delivery (3) OR
HCC130AAHealth Care Today (0.5) AND
HCC130ABWorkplace Behavior in Health Care (0.5) AND
HCC130ACPersonal Wellness and Safety (0.5) AND
HCC130ADCommunication and Teamwork in Health Care Organizations (0.5) AND
HCC130AELegal Issues in Health Care (0.5) AND
HCC130AFDecision Making in the Health Care Setting (0.5) 3
HCC145AAMedical Terminology for Health Care Professionals I 1
Requirements
Credits:27.5
DAE112Dental Assisting I 7
DAE124Dental Radiography 2
DAE131Dental Radiography Laboratory 2
DAE140Dental Issues Seminar 1
DAE156Dental Assisting II 7
DAE212Dental Assisting III 2
DAE224General Clinical Practice 1
DAE225Pediatric Clinical Practice 1
DAE226Periodontal Clinical Practice 1
DAE227Orthodontic Clinical Practice 1
DAE228Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinical Practice 1
DAE256Dental Assisting IV 1.5
Restricted Electives
Credits:0-7.5
The credit hour range is subject to change depending on the student's educational experiences.
 
BIO+++ Any BIO Biology course (200 level or higher) 4
BPC110Computer Usage and Applications 3
CIS105Survey of Computer Information Systems 3
FON100Introductory Nutrition 3
GBS233Business Communication 3
HCC208Healthcare Leadership 1
HES100Healthful Living 3
HES126Women's Health Issues 3
MGT148Office Ethics and Culture 2
PED115Lifetime Fitness 2
WED+++ Any WED Wellness course 1-3
General Education
General Education RequirementCredits 18
 
General Education CoreCredits 9
 
First-Year CompositionCredits 3
Met by ENG101 or ENG107, in Program Prerequisites area AND
ENG102First Year Composition (3) OR
ENG108First Year Composition for ESL (3)
 
Oral CommunicationCredits 3
Any approved general education course in the Oral Communication area.
 
Critical ReadingCredits 0
Met by CRE101 or equivalent in Program Prerequisites area. 0
 
MathematicsCredits 3
MAT112Mathematical Concepts and Applications (3) OR
equivalent or satisfactory completion of higher level mathematics course.
 
General Education DistributionCredits 9
 
Humanities and Fine ArtsCredits 3
Any approved general education course in the Humanities and Fine Arts area.
 
Social and Behavioral SciencesCredits 6
PSY101Introduction to Psychology 3
SOC101Introduction to Sociology 3
 
Natural SciencesCredits 0
Met by BIO160, in Program Prerequisites area.
  1. Apply recognized standards of infection control and safety in the dental care environment. (DAE112, DAE131, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  2. Identify and adhere to professional ethics, legal practices, and rules and regulations set forth by the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners. (DAE112, DAE131, DAE140, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  3. Perform clinical skills of the dental assistant as recognized by the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners. (DAE112, DAE131, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  4. Communicate effectively with patients, families and dental professionals. (DAE112, DAE131, DAE140, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227. DAE228)
  5. Exhibit professional behaviors for the dental environment and related professional settings. (DAE112, DAE131, DAE140, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  6. Demonstrate skills necessary for dental emergency prevention and management. (DAE112, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  7. Identify dental anatomy, oral tissue structures, and radiographic landmarks of the oral cavity. (DAE112, DAE124, DAE131, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  8. Safely operate and maintain dental equipment. (DAE112, DAE131, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  9. Obtain and record data as required for patient records, including historical, diagnostic, treatment, and post-treatment information. (DAE112, DAE131, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  10. Identify and describe common oral pathologies and related preventive strategies. (DAE156, DAE212, DAE256)
  11. Prepare tray systems for dental procedures in general and specialty practices. (DAE112, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  12. Applying four-handed dentistry techniques, perform dental assisting functions in the delivery of general and specialty dental treatment. (DAE112, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  13. Manipulate and handle materials used in dental treatment and explain the physical properties. (DAE112, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  14. Describe the components, uses and effects of pharmaceutical agents used in dentistry. (DAE156, DAE212, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  15. Perform basic dental practice management functions. (DAE112, DAE131, DAE156, DAE212, DAE256, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
  16. Expose and mount diagnostic radiographs, employing safety standards for patient and operator. (DAE112, DAE124, DAE131, DAE224, DAE225, DAE226, DAE227, DAE228)
Status: Yes
Original URL:
Official MCCCD program information

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